Initially, I thought that I Feel Bad was full of self-hatred and whitewashing in an attempt to make all of us with Continental Asian ancestry feel that we needed to be White to feel like we fit in a world that reflected nothing of what our various cultures gave to western and eastern civilizations.
However, after having calmed down and rewatched the second episode, I Feel Bad is just a standard TV mom who takes on too much while trying to find balance for herself in a world where most women aren’t allowed to relax, even for 20 minutes.
In episode three entitled, I Lie to My Kids, Emet (Sarayu Blue) tricks her kids by setting the clock an extra hour early because they are always late…something Middle Eastern and East Indians are notorious known for. Also, a much bigger situation that I can’t reveal because it takes away too much from the big bad lie that cause all the mischief.
There is however, a scene between the beta, geek brain trust who are intimidated by the beta, geek sports game designers who they call, “the jocks,” which wasn’t really funny. Frankly, the only of those three characters that is enjoyable is Norman (Zach Cherry).
Luckily, Maya (Madhur Jaffrey) continue to be the backbone of the show. She is to I Feel Bad what Constance Wu is to Fresh Off the Boat on ABC.
Thankfully, the jokes are getting better. Hopefully, once the writing tones it down a little and the characters develop more this series will hit a stride and capture my full attention. I continue to wish Aseem Batra all the success in the world and what I saw in the pilot episode should not be seen as me calling her some sort of, “sell out.” The pilot episode hit a nerve with something I am very tired of dealing with and that’s being told that those of us with old world values are backwards and misinformed.
- Overall Score
Summary
I Feel Bad is getting better, even with its over-the-top storytelling.
